Abstract: A data accumulating apparatus, comprising: storage media; receiving means for receiving digital raw data about specific information from an external electronic device; first accumulating means for accumulating the digital raw data received by the receiving means into the storage media; producing means for producing first data equal to the digital raw data accumulated in the storage media; compressing means for compressing the first data produced by the producing means to produce coded data in association with the digital raw data accumulated in the storage media; and second accumulating means for accumulating the digital coded data produced by the compressing means into the storage media.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling recording or reproduction includes a maximum likelihood decoding section for performing maximum likelihood decoding of a digital signal having a waveform thereof rectified and generating a first binary signal representing a result of the maximum likelihood decoding; a reliability calculating section for calculating a reliability of the result of the maximum likelihood decoding based on the digital signal having the waveform thereof rectified and the first binary signal; a jitter detection section for detecting jitter; and a parameter setting section for setting a value of a prescribed parameter which is a recording parameter or a reproduction parameter. The parameter setting section calculates a first optimum value of the prescribed parameter based on the reliablilty, calculates a second optimum value of the prescribed parameter based on the jitter, and sets the value of the prescribed parameter between the first optimum value and the second optimum value inclusive.

Abstract: A hybrid device having a plurality of task-handlers corresponding to a function key uses a user interface method. The user interface method includes receiving information necessary to change priorities of the task-handlers corresponding to the function key; changing the priorities of the task-handlers based on the received information; and storing information regarding the changed priorities according to a predetermined application type.

Abstract: A recording or playback apparatus classifies privacy-related information such as information concerning an operation of an apparatus and information for identifying an operator into, e.g., an individual identification information category, playback contents information category, apparatus maintenance information category, and photographing environment information category, and controls recording, playback, display, transfer, or erase of the privacy-related information by the apparatus in accordance with the classified categories.

Abstract: A storage device protection system has a disk for storing data, the disk including a disk medium and a buffer for writing data to the disk medium. The device includes: a detecting unit for detecting an operation to cut off a main power supply of the device; an access suspending unit for suspending access to the hard disk when the detecting unit detects the operation; a writing unit for writing data in the buffer to the disk medium when the detecting unit detects the operation; and a power cutoff unit for cutting off the main power supply after the writing operation of the medium writing unit.

Abstract: A data recording apparatus, which is capable of acquiring and recording data according to the residual capacity of the battery when the residual capacity is small. A recording operation is carried out such that acquired information data is temporarily written onto the memory and thereafter the information data is transferred to a recording medium to record the information data. The data recording speed of the recording medium is detected. The residual capacity of the battery is detected. The expected driving time period for which the data recording apparatus can be driven is detected, based on the detected residual capacity. The quantity of data recordable on the recording medium is calculated based on the detected data recording speed and the detected expected driving time period. The size of data to be written onto the memory is changed based on the detected recordable quantity of data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling recording optical power. When a recording operation is paused, a playback signal characteristic for recorded data is detected. The recording optical power is controlled based upon the detected playback signal characteristic and hence the recording operation is resumed at the controlled recording optical power. Therefore, even though a characteristic of an optical pickup or disc varies when the recording operation is paused and resumed, an optimum recording operation can be performed and a playback characteristic for recorded data can be improved.

Abstract: In an image reading apparatus using a solid state image pickup element, a smear amount and the total received light amount at whole image taking region of the CCD linear sensor when a light source is turned on without film, are measured and calculated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in an optical disk system employing a look-ahead data detection technique is described where an optimum detection is achieved with a minimum hardware complexity. In one embodiment, the boundary functions and the corresponding boundary decisions are derived for next state determination using only the minimum distance event pair for each state over the look-ahead samples, thereby reducing the detector hardware significantly relative to the Viterbi counterpart where the most likely occurring path is searched at every state. Depending on the sample quality, the limits for the boundary decisions can be programmable to combat the channel impairments like misequalzation, signal asymmetry, etc.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for the partial automatic recording of parameter values for parameters, necessary for particular processes, which provide telecommunication services. A definition mask is used, from which a recording mask is automatically generated, which is suitable for the recording of the parameter values. The recording mask is process-specific and embodied such that inconsistencies with regard to the values are excluded, whereby the value of a parameter used by several processes need only be input once.

Abstract: A disk reproducing device includes: disk detecting part that detects whether or not a disk storing music data stored in a plurality of directories formed in hierarchical structure is inserted into a deck section; a microprocessor that determines whether or not an operation mode is a scanning search reproduction mode and generates an instruction to start scanning search reproduction of the disk inserted into the deck section for each directory when the operation mode is the scanning search reproduction mode; and reproducing means that selects a directory from the disk on the basis of the instruction from the microprocessor and reproduces a music file at the beginning of the directory for a short time.

Abstract: An optical disk apparatus is capable of recording a signal on an optical disk by directing an optical beam thereon at a plurality of recording speeds. A condition measuring position storing part stores one or more condition measuring positions at which a condition of the signal is measured for each of the recording speeds. A signal condition measuring part measures the condition of the signal by suspending recording operations at the condition measuring positions stored in the condition measuring position storing part. In the condition measuring position storing part, a condition measuring position for a recording speed whose level is one level lower than the level of a predetermined recording speed are set to positions shifted for a predetermined time interval from respective condition measuring positions for the predetermined recording speed.

Abstract: A recording medium having a data structure for managing additional content data of main data recorded thereon in accordance with the present invention comprises a data area storing at least one clip file including main data and/or additional content data of the main data; and a navigation area storing a clip information file including information to indicate whether the clip file includes additional content data.

Abstract: An optical disc playback apparatus, which has an optical pickup receiving reflected light from an optical disc, comprises a signal level detector that detects a level of a signal obtained from the reflected light; and a determining circuit that, based on the level, determines which side the optical pickup is located on, an information recording area or an information non-recorded area of the optical disc.

Abstract: An information reproducing apparatus comprises an information obtaining device which obtains necessary information for reproduction from a loaded recording medium and a reproduction control device which exerts control to reproduce recorded information from the recording medium based on the obtained information, and the apparatus prompts a user to select a type of the recording medium, accepts selection of the type of the recording medium from the user, and obtains the necessary information for reproduction from the recording medium according to the selected type of the recording medium.

Abstract: A recording/reproducing apparatus (100) for recording a received signal as digital data in a file format and for reproducing the digital data stored in the file format is disclosed. A control means (101) carries out such a control in the recording mode that the digital data continuously received and stored in a buffer memory (150) is stored in a storage means (160) at a writing speed which is higher than a speed at which the digital data was stored in the buffer memory (150), while being divided into files in response to a division command from a manual input means (110).

Abstract: Audio data of 20 bits is separated into first data of upper 16 bits and second data of lower 4 bits. EFM modulation data is formed from the first data. A laser beam is on/off controlled in correspondence to the logic level of channel data obtained by NRZI modulating a serial data train. The first data, therefore, is recorded in a manner similar to the case of a compact disc. Each pit is controlled so as to have a displacement in the right/left direction for the track center in accordance with the second data and the deviated pit is formed. When data is recorded by the displacement of the pit, since a high frequency component of a tracking error signal changes upon reproduction, the second data can be extracted from the tracking error signal.

Abstract: An optical disk recording and reproducing apparatus comprise, a buffer circuit which receive and store data and output the stored data, an EFM modulation circuit which receive data output from the buffer circuit, adding a frame synchronous signal and sub-code data, subjecting these items of data to the EFM modulation to create record data, a buffer remaining amount control circuit for detecting the remaining amount of data stored in the buffer circuit, a record control circuit for conducting the control for temporarily suspending the recording operation to the optical disk at an arbitrary position of the main data of the record data excluding the frame synchronous signal and the sub-code data in the case where the detection result of the remaining amount of data in the buffer remaining amount control circuit corresponds to the state in which the buffer underrun is generated.

Abstract: When data recorded on a disk is traced in a reproduction mode, a selection circuit (28) is switched so as to select data read by said selection circuit (28). When a recording decision means (22) decides start of data recording, said selection circuit (28) is switched so as to select a reference clock. In this manner, a system clock generated from a system clock generation circuit (25) is gradually switched from a state which is synchronized with a bit clock to a state which is synchronized with a reference clock. According to the output system clock, recording data written on the disk is synchronized with the recorded data from a position continuous to the recorded data.

Abstract: A disc recorder is provided with: a reproduction peak rate detector for detecting a peak rate; a data recording start position detector for detecting a data recording start position; a data recording position manager and a defect position and length detector for detecting length of a discontinuous portion when real time reproduction data are suppositionally recorded on a disc medium; a continuous reproduction possibility determining unit for determining a possibility of continuous reproduction of the suppositionally recorded real time reproduction data; a copy manager for recording the real time reproduction data on the disc medium when it is determined that the suppositionally recorded real time reproduction data can be continuously reproduced; and a data recording position manager for changing the data recording start position when it is determined that the continuous reproduction is impossible.

Abstract: An optical disc drive that can surely erase the trial writing data recorded in the Test Area is provided. The optical disc drive of the present invention has a rotation driving mechanism for rotating a loaded optical disc, and an optical pick-up capable of recording data to the optical disc by emitting a laser beam onto the optical disc drive. In the erasing procedure for erasing the trial writing data recorded in the Test Area, CW erase procedure is carried out (Step S104), and the optical disc drive tries to reproduce the trial writing data (Step S106). Then, it is determined whether an HF signal is detected or not (Step S107), and the CW erase procedure is carried out again in the case where the HF signal is detected.

Abstract: An information reproducing apparatus for reproducing information recorded on an optical disc. A pickup reads the information, and a track buffer memory temporarily accumulates the information therein. A control micro computer start reproducing the information. Then, the computer stops reproducing while accumulating the information in the memory when stop of the reproduction is requested from an external portion during the reproduction. Further, the computer outputs the information accumulated in the memory to resume reproducing it.

Abstract: A phase locked loop (PLL) for generating an oscillation signal such that the oscillation signal maintains a substantially constant phase difference with respect to a phase of a reference signal. The PLL includes a first frequency divider for dividing a frequency of the oscillation signal by a first divisor, and for generating a number of multiphase signals, such that each multiphase signal is out of phase with each of the other multiphase signals, a phase shift detection circuit for comparing a phase of the oscillation signal with the phase of the reference signal, and a phase adjusting circuit for selecting one of the multiphase signals generated by the first frequency divider to be an output signal such that the PLL is able to reduce the phase difference between the oscillation signal and the reference signal.

Abstract: A contents data reproducing apparatus that continuously reproduces pieces of music without producing a soundless state between music pieces is provided. When a pickup 2 finishes reading of reproducing object piece of audio data, a microcomputer 10 stops writing of the audio data into a storage unit 4 and makes the pickup move to a front of the next reproducing object piece of audio data to start reading of the next reproducing piece of audio data. Then, when a result in a level detection unit 7 shows that the level of the next reproducing object piece of audio data is higher than the reference level, then, writing of the next reproducing object piece of audio data, which is read by the pickup 2, into the storage unit 4 is started. An audio data conversion unit 8 reads the audio data stored in the storage unit 4 and reproduces it.

Abstract: A power saving system of an optical recording/reproducing apparatus is provided. The optical recording/reproducing apparatus includes a temporal memory which stores reproduced data or recording data in a cyclic data storage stage and from which the stored data is read out for reproduction or recording in a cyclic data readout stage following the data storage stage. The power saving system saves part of power consumed in the apparatus in the data storage stage in a record mode of operation and in the data readout stage in a reproduce mode of operation.

Abstract: Audio data of 20 bits is separated into first data of upper 16 bits and second data of lower 4 bits. EFM modulation data is formed from the first data. A laser beam is on/off controlled in correspondence to the logic level of channel data obtained by NRZI modulating a serial data train. The first data, therefore, is recorded in a manner similar to the case of a compact disc. Each pit is controlled so as to have a displacement in the right/left direction for the track center in accordance with the second data and the deviated pit is formed. When data is recorded by the displacement of the pit, since a high frequency component of a tracking error signal changes upon reproduction, the second data can be extracted from the tracking error signal.

Abstract: A disc capable of reproducing an address signal and a data signal correctly even by using a multilayer optical disc that includes a plurality of recording reproduction surfaces bonded together in a state in which front positions in sectors of the respective recording reproduction surfaces do not match completely, a method and a device are provided. In one embodiment, a relationship between a bonding precision L and a length G of a gap area is determined to be L≦G. In another embodiment, by recording information in a range of a length corresponding to the bonding precision L not only in the data area but also in the gap area, a data recording starting position and a data recording ending position for each sector of the respective recording reproduction surfaces are matched. In yet another embodiment, guard areas are provided in a tip portion and a back end portion of the data area.

Abstract: An optical information reproducing method for reproducing information recorded at at least one mark on an optical information medium. The method includes irradiating a laser to the optical information medium, detecting a reflected beam reflected from the optical information medium, and reproducing information recorded on the optical information medium from an output signal of a detector which detects the reflected beam. The step of reproducing information is changed in dependence upon a length of the mark of the optical information medium.

Abstract: An information recording apparatus includes an energy generation device for generating recording energy; a position control device for controlling a position of irradiation on the recording medium with an output of the energy generation device; a drive device for driving the energy generation device; a switching device for switching information based on user data and test information to supply the two kinds of information selectively to the drive device; a reading device for reading the marks recorded on the recording medium; an evaluation device for evaluating a reproduced signal obtained by the reading device; and a recording condition control device for controlling a recording condition on the basis of an evaluation result obtained by the evaluation device, wherein, when the marks used for recording the test information are to be reproduced, controlling operation of the position control device is changed to be different from that used for recording the test information.

Abstract: An audio player permits compressed or uncompressed audio CDs to be played. The preferred player includes a spindle motor control that causes the CD to be spun at a constant linear velocity that is commensurate with the encoding rate of the file being played. In this manner, the data can be continuously pulled of the CD at just the right rate so that, after being decoded and decompressed, the data can be played. The player also dynamically adjusts its constant linear velocity to the encoding rate of the file being played to permit files on the same disc having different encoding rates to be played.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a reproducing method and apparatus capable of facilitating a processing operation for permitting a write into a temporal memory means by reading data from a recording medium driven at a variable driving speed, permitting the write into a temporal memory means according to a signal reproduced from the recording medium and if there is a permission for the write in a period generated at a predetermined cycle and allowing the write into the temporal memory means, writing the data read to the temporal memory means.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus for reproducing an audio signal from a record carrier having a first digital audio signal (a PCM encoded audio signal) recorded on it in a first format and a second digital audio signal (an MPEG encoded multi channel audio signal) recorded on it in a second format. The apparatus includes a read unit for reading an information signal from the record carrier, a decoding unit for channel decoding the information signal read from the record carrier into a decoded information signal, a keyboard for receiving a selection signal and an output terminal for supplying an output signal which comprises either the first digital audio signal or the second digital audio signal in response to said selection signal. An output circuit is available to add an identification signal (bit b1) into the output signal, indicating that the output signal includes either the first digital audio signal or another audio signal.

Abstract: In an apparatus and a method for correcting asymmetry in an optical disk reproduction system, an analog RF signal is received from an optical diode and an asymmetry-corrected signal is output as a digital EFM signal. The apparatus includes envelope detectors for detecting upper and lower envelopes of the RF signal, a level controller for controlling the level of the sum of the upper envelope and the lower envelope and for outputting signal having the controlled level, and a comparator for comparing the level of the signal output from the level controller with the level of the RF signal and for outputting the comparison result as the digital EFM signal.

Abstract: A circuit and a method of detecting a mirror signal for an optical disc apparatus, the method includes detecting a bottom envelope from a radio frequency signal and providing a bottom envelope signal thereof, amplifying the bottom envelope signal according to a center level of the bottom envelope signal, and comparing the amplified bottom envelope signal with a predetermined comparison voltage to detect the mirror signal.

Abstract: The present invention related to a signal shaping circuit which is capable of shaping a returning light signal of a modulated signal whose signal level and signal length are arbitrarily varied such that it can be demodulated. The shaped signal pattern generation circuit 15 has, in advance, variation pattern information with regard to a predetermined variation pattern to be applied on a returning light signal recorded therein. The counter 13 inputs a returning light signal, counts a signal length thereof and sends a count value to the shaped signal pattern generation circuit 15. An A/D conversion 14 detects a signal level of the returning light signal and sends the detected signal level to the shaped signal pattern generation circuit 15, in the similar way. The shaped signal pattern generation circuit 15 refers to the variation pattern information and calculates an optimum signal pattern corresponding to a signal length and a signal level of the inputted returning light signal.

Abstract: A recording medium reproducing device is provided which device varies a tempo and a key of music reproduced from audio data recorded on a recording medium. The recording medium reproducing device comprises means for calculating a variable width of the key according to a varied tempo, means for adding the variable width of the key to a variable width of the key according to a varied key so as to have a summed variable width of the key, and means for displaying the summed variable width of the key.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for generating a primary binary signal having a predetermined spectral shape in a predetermined frequency range, in particular having a notch in the power spectrum in a predetermined frequency range. In order to avoid crosstalk between a primary binary signal and a secondary binary signal it is proposed according to the invention that data-words are modulated into channel-words forming the channel bitstream of the primary binary signal and that the modulation of the data-words is chosen such that the predetermined spectral shape of the channel bitstream of the primary binary signal is achieved by using an evaluation criterion based on a spectral weight function the shape of which is tailored to the spectral extent of the channel bitstream of a secondary binary signal.

Abstract: There is provided a disk drive unit which is capable of making control corresponding to contaminant and defect by discriminating the contaminant (dust, scratch) on the disk surface from the defect on the recording plane. In a pull-in signal PI corresponding to reflected light from a disk, a defect detecting signal corresponding to a signal whose level change is relatively quick corresponding to the defect of the recording plane and a contaminant detecting signal which corresponds to a signal whose level change is relatively slow corresponding to the contaminant on the disk surface are generated. When the defect detecting signal is at low level for example, a system controller retries a recording operation or increases laser light when the contaminant detecting signal is at low level. A quantity of output light of a laser diode is controlled so that a product of output light of a laser diode and reflected light from the disk amounts to a predetermined level.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a testing process for recording for presetting optimum recording power for a domain wall displacement type magneto-optical medium, the process comprising the steps of: recording a first record pattern on an Nth track on the magneto-optical medium; separately recording a second record pattern on an (N−1)th track and an (N+1)th track adjacent to both sides of the Nth track with varied recording power; reproducing the Nth track to detect a change in the pulse width of a reproduction signal; detecting recording power, at which cross writing occurs, on the basis of the detected result; and presetting optimum recording power on the basis of the recording power at which cross writing occurs.

Abstract: In recording on an optical disk, tracking control is performed using tracking error signals detected during an OFF period and a rear time segment within an ON period of a recording pulse signal. The time segment for detecting the tracking error signal within the recording pulse ON period is variably controlled in accordance with recording conditions such as a disk type and recording speed. This control can effectively prevent a tendency of pits being formed off the center line of a track toward the inner circumference of the optical disk due to the influence of residual heat from an adjoining inner track, thereby allowing pits to be formed accurately on and along the track center line.

Abstract: In an apparatus and a method for correcting asymmetry in an optical disk reproduction system, an analog RF signal is received from an optical diode and an asymmetry-corrected signal is output as a digital EFM signal. The apparatus includes envelope detectors for detecting upper and lower envelopes of the RF signal, a level controller for controlling the level of the sum of the upper envelope and the lower envelope and for outputting signal having the controlled level, and a comparator for comparing the level of the signal output from the level controller with the level of the RF signal and for outputting the comparison result as the digital EFM signal.

Abstract: Method of registering a running time on an information carrier, the information carrier comprising main data and subcode data, the running time being indicated in a subcode channel by a subcode time expressed in accordance with a predetermined format. A pseudo-running time is described by incrementing the subcode time in accordance with a pseudo-tempo, which is different from an actual tempo, the actual tempo representing a tempo in accordance with the actual running time.

Abstract: The optical disk player is capable of selectively executing the optimum power control test in power calibration areas and shortening the time for writing data if required. The optical disk player of the present invention writes data on an optical disk having a first power calibration area located on an inner side of a read-in area and a second power calibration area located on an outer side of a read-out area. A type of optimum power control test executed in one of the power calibration areas or in the both of the power calibration areas is selected. The optimum power control test is executed in one of the power calibration areas or in the both of the power calibration areas on the basis of the type of optimum power control test selected.

Abstract: Upon loading of an optical disk into a CD-R/RW drive, access is first made to a given location within an innermost lead-in area of the optical disk, to retrieve a starting time of the innermost lead-in area from ATIP information. Then, access is made to a starting point of a PMA area of the disk, on the basis of the starting time of the innermost lead-in area, to retrieve PMA information. After that, on the basis of a time interval between adjoining tracks represented by the PMA information, the tracks are divided into a plurality of sessions. Next, access is made to a lead-in area of the last session to determine presence/absence and validity of lead-in information in the last session. Then, only when the lead-in information of the last session is judged to be valid, the lead-in information of the last session is retrieved as valid lead-in information.

Abstract: An information recording and reproduction apparatus includes a recording section for recording data into a recording medium in accordance with address information recorded in the recording medium, a first reproduction section for reproducing at least one data including the data recorded in the recording medium in accordance with a first reproduction method to obtain at least one reproduced data, a second reproduction section for reproducing the address information in accordance with a second reproduction method to obtain reproduced address information, and a determination section for mapping the data to a specific reproduced data of the at least one reproduced data based on the address information and the reproduced address information, and comparing the data with the specific reproduced data to determine a recording condition of a region of the recording medium storing the data.

Abstract: In an apparatus and a method for correcting asymmetry in an optical disk reproduction system, an analog RF signal is received from an optical diode and an asymmetry-corrected signal is output as a digital EFM signal. The apparatus includes envelope detectors for detecting upper and lower envelopes of the RF signal, a level controller for controlling the level of the sum of the upper envelope and the lower envelope and for outputting signal having the controlled level, and a comparator for comparing the level of the signal output from the level controller with the level of the RF signal and for outputting the comparison result as the digital EFM signal.

Abstract: An optical disk comprising a recording layer and a super-resolution film disposed on the reproduction-beam incident side of the recording layer, wherein the super-resolution film is formed of a fine particle-dispersed film comprising a matrix and semiconductor fine particles dispersed in the matrix or formed of a semiconductor continuous film, and wherein content of a matrix material or a contamination mixed in the semiconductor fine particles or the semiconductor continuous film is not more than 20 at %.

Abstract: An optical disk reproduction apparatus comprising a microcomputer (7) for resuming reading data from an optical disk (1) when buffering to a memory (6) is interrupted, a continuous data detector (55) for dividing first data buffered in the memory (6) before the buffering interruption and second data read out in accordance with an instruction from the microcomputer (7) into “n” groups, respectively, and detecting whether the first data and the second data are in coincidence for each group, and a buffering resumption request generating circuit (56) for instructing a timing of buffering resumption on the basis of a result of the continuous data detector (55).

Abstract: A data recorder that prevents buffer underrun errors includes a buffer memory for temporarily storing data to be written to a recording medium and an address memory connected to a buffer memory. The address memory stores an address of the recording medium or an address of the buffer memory when data writing is interrupted. A synchronizing circuit sequentially reads data from the medium and data stored in the buffer memory prior to the interruption and synchronizes the read and stored data. A restart circuit restarts data writing when an address of data read from the medium or an address of data read from the buffer memory matches the address stored in the address memory.

Abstract: A sound features extracting unit receives a sound signal of a music piece to extract sound features. A peak detecting unit detects a peak time when a cost function calculated by a cost function calculating unit indicates a maximal value, and a peak value thereof. A selecting unit selects a time property indicating sound critical points from the peak time and the peak value. This method allows the user to automatically retrieve sound critical points without having to listen to the sound in advance.